Sting Musical The Last Ship Opens in Chicago Tonight; Broadway Is Next

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25 Jun 2014

Sting

The pre-Broadway premiere of The Last Ship, the new musical with music and lyrics by 16-time Grammy winner Sting — inspired by the songwriter's own childhood — officially opens June 25 after previews that began June 10 at Chicago's Bank of America Theatre.

Directed by Tony winner Joe Mantello (Casa Valentina, Wicked), The Last Ship has a book by Tony winner John Logan (Red) and Pulitzer Prize winner Brian Yorkey (If/Then, Next to Normal). Choreography is by Olivier Award winner and Tony nominee Steven Hoggett (Rocky, Once).

The Chicago engagement will run through July 13. The Last Ship will begin Broadway previews Sept. 29 prior to an Oct. 26 opening at the Neil Simon Theatre.

The Last Ship, according to producers, "is set in the English seafaring town of Wallsend, a close-knit community where life has always revolved around the local shipyard and the hardworking men construct magnificent vessels with tremendous pride. But Gideon Fletcher dreams of a different future. He sets out to travel the world, leaving his life and his love behind. When Gideon returns home 14 years later, he finds the shipyard's future in grave danger and his childhood sweetheart engaged to someone else. As the men of Wallsend take their future into their own hands and build a towering representation of the shared dream that defines their existence, Gideon realizes that he left behind more than he could have ever imagined."

The production has set and costume design by Tony nominee David Zinn, lighting design by Tony winner Christopher Akerlind and sound design by Tony winner Brian Ronan. Casting is by Telsey + Company/Craig Burns, CSA.